Gary Neville feels that a siege mentality that has resulted from the fallout surrounding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could actually help Arsenal in their battle for a top-four finish.
The striker was stripped of the captaincy earlier this month, and there has been constant speculation about the 32-year-old’s future since then. However, Neville feels that, if the Gunners continue to win without him, it will strengthen the squad’s resolve and the position of Mikel Arteta:
“I think now they’ve got a real rhythm, I think obviously the Aubameyang situation is there, it’s not going to go away quickly I don’t think and it will hang on every single one of Mikel Arteta’s press conferences. But the more they win without him the stronger that group will get and the stronger the manager gets and his position.”
It’s an interesting take from Neville and you can’t argue with the fact that Arteta’s side have won five consecutive games in all competitions, scoring 19 goals and conceding only two, since Aubameyang was taken out of the team.
Whether that momentum can be sustained for a full-blown top-four challenge, we shall have to wait and see. They are currently six points ahead of Tottenham in fifth (albeit having played three games more) and they will be keen to continue this great form into the New Year.